26260 Deep Glazed Lion Figurine by Tokuda Yasokichi I

Height 17.0cm
Width 17.7cm
Depth 14.0cm

He studied traditional techniques such as Ko-Kutani copying, Yoshidaya copying, and Akae (red painting) techniques, and created his own unique deep glazes. He trained the second and third generations of Yasokichi as his pupils, and also taught Asakura Isokichi and others, making him a leading expert on modern Kutani overglazes.

His works are highly acclaimed for their sophisticated coloring techniques and precise painting.

As the name "deep glaze" suggests,
A thick layer of glaze envelops the clay, creating shades of light and shade that follow the contours of the sculpture. The appearance is left to the chance of firing, but is also under calculated control.

The sight of the turtle holding the ball with its front legs, lowering its hips, and curling its tail up high is
While based on the traditional form of lion statues, it also has a certain charm to it.
The eyes and fangs express anger, but the rounded cheeks and the swirls of the lush mane give it a sense of both menace and peace.

The mane is particularly well carved,
The swirls overlap one another, and the intense purple glaze accumulates there, emphasizing the shadows. This is a masterpiece that combines sculptural volume with beautiful glaze colors.